The 6th Annual Architecture and Design Film Festival is set to return to New York City on October 15th for five days of premieres and showings. With a special themed focus on Women in Architecture, the US's largest architecture-related film festival will present over twenty five feature-length and short films in a programme curated by Kyle Bergman and Laura Cardello. Designed to provide "rare glimpses and intimate portrayals of seminal figures and growing movements in the fields of architecture, design, urbanism and fashion," this year's festival will also feature a 3D film series exploring six iconic structures from filmmakers such as Wim Wenders and Robert Redford.
Explore the highlights and find out more about the festival after the break.
Christiania – 40 Years of Occupation (World Premiere)
Directors Richard Jackman and Robert Lawson tell the story of a 40-year-old squatter community occupying an abandoned military base in Copenhagen. Through interviews with longtime Christiania residents as well as police and government officials, the film explores consensus democracy, alternative building methods, drug policy and Scandinavian culture in a provocative and often humorous character study of this unique community.
Cathedrals of Culture (U.S. Premiere)
“If buildings could talk, what would they say about us?” is the central question of this 3D film series. It brings together six unique films by acclaimed filmmakers Wim Wenders, Robert Redford, Michael Glawogger, Michael Madsen, Margreth Olin and Karim Aïnouz into one creative ensemble for an international event of visionary storytelling. Buildings, they show us, are material manifestations of human thought and action: the Berlin Philharmonic, an icon of modernity; the National Library of Russia, a kingdom of thoughts; Halden Prison, the world’s most humane penitentiary; the Salk Institute, a center for breakthrough science; the Oslo Opera House, a futuristic symbiosis of art and life; and the Centre Pompidou, a modern culture machine. The six films will be screened in pairs during the festival.
Making Space: 5 Women Changing the Face of Architecture
For the first time in history, women are creating some of the most exciting architectural designs in the world. Director Ultan Guilfoyle takes viewers on an intimate journey with five dynamic and accomplished female architects—Annabelle Selldorf (New York), Marianna McKenna (Toronto), Kathryn Gustafson (Seattle and London), Farshid Moussavi (London) and Odile Decq (Paris)—who are transforming the landscape of the 21st century.
Maker (NY Premiere)
Maker chronicles the maker movement and its impact on society, culture and economy in the U.S. Often referred to as the third industrial revolution, the maker movement subverts traditional manufacturing by building on innovative concepts such as open source, crowd funding, local manufacturing and digital fabrication. Debunking the hobbyist stereotype, Maker director Mu-Ming Tsai delves deep into the design and manufacturing ecosystem of the Internet era, exploring the ideas, tools and personalities that are driving this movement and returning with a timely snapshot of one of the transforming influences of the current age.
Dior & I
Frédéric Tcheng’s solo directorial debut brings the viewer inside the storied world of fashion powerhouse Christian Dior with a priviledged, behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Raf Simon’s first haute couture collection as its new artistic director. Melding the everyday, pressure-filled components of fashion with mysterious echoes from the iconic brand’s past, the film is also a colorful homage to the seamstresses who serve Simons’ vision.
According to the founder and director Kyle Bergman, "this year’s festival is poised to be our best edition yet. We were impressed by the sheer number of submissions but also by the caliber of the films, which improves every year."
Tickets for ADFF New York go on sale on September 17th at the Tribeca Cinemas Box Office and online. Pricing is $14 for General Admission, $11 for AIA members and $8 for students with a valid ID.
